Centrifugal roller for street cleaning devices

ABSTRACT

In a centrifugal roller mounted on street cleaning devices having pivotable broom carriers which pivot parallel with respect to the rotational axis of the roller so that the brooms engage the circumference of the roller at a defined point, there is provided a connecting rod joining each of the broom carriers to a collar which is slidably mounted on a roller so that when the collar is positioned on the roller, the broom carriers can be easily adjusted in order to equalize the wear on the broom bristles during the operation of the street cleaning device.

United States Patent Jahnert et al.

[ Feb.,22,1972

[54] CENTRIFUGAL ROLLER FOR STREET CLEANING DEVICES [72] inventors:Fritz Jahnert, Stadtbergen near Augsburg; Martin Schollhom, Kissing nearAugsburg,

both of Germany [73] Assignee: Keller 8: Knappich GmbH, Augsburg,

Germany [22] Filed: Aug. 20, 1970 211 Appl. No.: 65,470

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 30, 1969 Germany ..P 19 49304.0

US. Cl ..15/183, 15/82 ..A46b 13/02, E01h 1/02 [58] Field otSearch..l5/l83, 179, 230.14, 230, 102, 15/82, 83, 55, 48, 41, 21 D, 21 E;37/20, 24, 25, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27

[56} References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,545,026 12/1970 Beer15/183 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlICATlONS 621,237 l2/l962 Belgium ..l5/l83Larsen 15/82 Primary Examiner-Leon G. Machlin Attorney-Allison C.Collard [5 7] ABSTRACT In a centrifugal roller mounted on streetcleaning devices having pivotable broom carriers which pivot parallelwith respect to the rotational axis of the roller so that the broomsengage the circumference of the roller at a defined point, there isprovided a connecting rod joining each of the: broom carriers to acollar which is slidably mounted on a roller so that when the collar ispositioned on the roller, the broom carriers can be easily adjusted inorder to equalize the wear on the broom bristles during the operation ofthe street cleaning device.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures CENTRIFUGAL ROLLER FOR STREET CLEANINGDEVICES This invention relates to a centrifugal roller mounted on astreet cleaning device having pivotable broom carriers.

Broom carriers are arranged on the rotational axis of a hollow roller.The brooms engage the circumferential surface of centrifugal rollers atdefined points, in order to equalize the wear of the broom bristles. Thecentrifugal rollers are rotated against the direction of drive of thestreet cleaner. The collected dirt thus is centrifuged into a guidecover and gathered in a collection container. This type of operation,however, requires that the circumference of the centrifugal rollercooperate with the guide cover for the collected dirt, since theeffectiveness of the device would otherwise be significantly impaired.The broom carriers in these conventional devices are mounted onrotatable pivot axis which rotate parallel and simultaneously with thecentrifugal roller. The necessary equipment for pivoting the broomcarriers must, therefore, be designed to withstand the forces exertedthereon. Furthermore, the device should not be subjected tocontamination.

Accordingly, the present invention arranges the pivoting means for thebroom carriers to withstand the pressure exerted on the bearings so thatthey are stable. The pivot arm for each broom carrier is coupled to acollar which is slidable in the longitudinal direction on the rotationalaxis of the centrifugal roller. The pivot arms and the slide areconnected by means of a guide rod which is provided with universal orball and socketjoints on each end. The collar thus acts like a slidingblock. The collar may be actuated either manually or pneumatically bymeans of a threaded spindle and a pair of screw caps, and by means ofpositive or nonpositive spring pressure.

It is, therefore, an object according to the present invention toprovide an apparatus which permits the broom carriers of a centrifugalroller for a street cleaning device to be adjusted in order to equalizethe wear on the broom bristles.

It is another object according to the present invention to provide abroom carrier equalizing apparatus for use with a street cleaning devicewhich is simple in design, inexpensive in cost, and reliable inoperation.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings which disclose the embodiments of theinvention. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings aredesigned for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition ofthe limits of the invention.

In the drawings wherein similar reference characters denote similarelements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 shows the device in folded position;

FIG. 2 shows the device in straight position; and,

HG. 3 shows an enlarged section of the device. Referring to FIG. 1, ahollow roller 1 forms a roller axis and carries two discs 2 which arerigidly mounted to the roller. A plurality of fixedly mounted carryingarms 3 extend radially from the discs. Only two arms are shown in thedrawing. Arms 13 of broom carrier plate are pivotably mounted by meansof pivot axis 4 or the ends of arms 3, and are arranged parallel withrespect to the rotational movement of hollow roller 1. A ball and socketor universal joint 6 is provided on broom carrier plate 5 and forms aneffective pivot point. Joint 6 is connected to one end of a connectingor guide rod 7. A ball and socket or universal joint 8 is also providedon the other end of guide rod 7 and secured to a collar 9. Collar 9 isslidably mounted for movement along the longitudinal direction on theouter face of hollow roller 1. Collar 9 is preferably formed as a casingengaging a corresponding longitudinal cutout or groove 10 in roller l.Collar 9 serves as a sliding block. Slidable collar 9 is mounted as atravelling or floating nut for movement on a correspondingly threadedspindle l1. Threaded spindle 11 extends outwardly from within hollowroller 1 and has an adjustable hexagonal cap screw 12 mounted at oneend. Adjustable capscrew 12 permits collar 9 to be adjusted from eitherthe left position of FIG. 1 in which the broom carrier plate 5 is foldedwith respect to arms 3, or into the right position of FIG. 2, when arms13 are in a straight position with respect to arms 3. Bristles 16 of thebrooms are thus always in engagement on the outer circumference of theroller even when bristles 16 are shortened due to wear.

By comparing FIGS. l and 2, it can be seen that the straight or extendedposition for the carrier brooms can be altered since the linear distancebetween ball and socket or universal 10 joint 8 and the mathematical orimaginary axis of pivotal axes 4 in direction of guide rod 7 can beshortened. Referring in detail to FIG. 3, there is shown a baseplate 14secured to broom carrier 5. Secured perpendicular to base plate 14 is amounting plate l5 having universal or ball joint 6 secured on onesurface thereof. The distance a represents the displacement between theaxes of joint 6 and pivot 4 of broom carriers 5. Displacement a whichserves as an offset distance for connecting rod 7, permits broomcarriers 5 to be selectively pivoted with respect to arms 3 in order toequalize the wear on broom bristles 16. Therefore, connecting rod 7affects the pivotal movement of broom carrier plates 5 because of thefixed length of the rod. Ball and socket or universal joints 6 and 8 arenot subjected to contamination, as is well known from the automotiveart. Pivotal axes 4 maintain broom carriers 5 in a rigid and stableposition without allowing any tolerance. Carriers 5 are preferablymounted on rubber roller type bearings. Longitudinal groove or slot 10may be sealed by an accordion-type seal (not shown) to preventcontamination. In such an arrangement, the connecting rod would consistof two parts connected with each other. The two parts of the guide rodwould be pivotable with respect to each other along the longitudinaldirection of the rod.

While only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious that many changes and modificationsmay be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

l. A rotatable, adjustable brush for a street cleaning device.comprising:

a centrifugal roller mounted on the street cleaning device;

a plurality of rigid mounting members, coupled therefrom;

a plurality of broom carrier members, pivotably afiixed to the ends ofsaid mounting members so that carrier members are pivotable parallel tothe longitudinal axis of said centrifugal roller, for mounting brooms onthe street cleaning device;

a collar, slidably disposed on said centrifugal roller between saidmounting members, and longitudinally movable thereon; and

a plurality of connecting rods, pivotally coupled at the ends thereof tosaid slidable collar and to said broom carrier members, for pivotingsaid broom carrier members and the brooms parallel to the longitudinalaxis of said centrifugal roller simultaneously in response tolongitudinal movement of said collar along :said centrifugal roller,thereby compensating for wear of the brooms during use of the streetcleaning device.

2. The brush as recited in claim I, further comprising ball and socketjoints affixed to the ends of said connecting rods, for pivotablycoupling said connecting rods to said collar and said broom carriermembers.

3. The brushes recited in claim 1, further comprising universal joints,affixed to the ends of said connecting rods, for pivotably coupling saidconnecting rods to said collar and said broom carrier members.

4. The centrifugal roller as recited in claim I, additionally comprisingadjusting means coupled to said slidable collar for positioning saidcollar on said centrifugal roller.

5. The centrifugal roller as recited in claim 4, wherein said adjustingmeans comprises;

a threaded spindle disposed within said roller and threadably coupled tosaid collar, and

a capscrew mounted on end end of said spindle to facilitate rotation ofsaid spindle with respect to said roller.

1. A rotatable, adjustable brush for a street cleaning device,comprising: a centrifugal roller mounted on the street cleaning device;a plurality of rigid mounting members, coupled therefrom; a plurality ofbroom carrier members, pivotably affixed to the ends of said mountingmembers so that carrier members are pivotable parallel to thelongitudinal axis of said centrifugal roller, for mounting brooms on thestreet cleaning device; a collar, slidably disposed on said centrifugalroller between said mounting members, and longitudinally movablethereon; and a plurality of connecting rods, pivotally coupled at theends thereof to said slidable collar and to said broom carrier members,for pivoting said broom carrier members and the brooms parallel to thelongitudinal axis of said centrifugal roller simultaneously in responseto longitudinal movement of said collar along said centrifugal roller,thereby compensating for wear of the brooms during use of the streetcleaning device.
 2. The brush as recited in claim 1, further comprisingball and socket joints affixed to the ends of said connecting rods, forpivotably coupling said connecting rods to said collar and said broomcarrier members.
 3. The brushes recited in claim 1, further comprisinguniversal joints, affixed to the ends of said connecting rods, forpivotably coupling said connecting rods to said collar and said broomcarrier members.
 4. The centrifugal roller as recited in claim 1,additionally comprising adjusting means coupled to said slidable collarfor positioning said collar on said centrifugal roller.
 5. Thecentrifugal roller as recited in claim 4, wherein said adjusting meanscomprises; a threaded spindle disposed within said roller and threadablycoupled to said collar, and a capscrew mounted on end end of saidspindle to facilitate rotation of said spindle with respect to saidroller.